There’s an avalanche of local coronavirus news this
week, starting with the fact that almost twice as many
people possibly infected with the virus are being kept
at Asilomar as was previously disclosed. Kelly Nix has
that story.

With everyone in Monterey County on a lockdown that
began Tuesday night, word has now emerged that the total
of local cases is up to four — one of them, an
individual who works at a car dealership in Salinas.
Kelly Nix and Chris Counts have all the details.

Two Carmel landlords said they would help ease the pain
of the sudden economic slowdown for some of their
tenants by forgiving their rent for April. Mary Schley
has that one.

As is true everywhere, things got a little crazy this
week at local supermarkets. The county sheriff said he
may decide to release some prisoners from the county
jail to help keep the virus from spreading there. Cal Am
is offering leniency for people who pay their bills
late. County supervisors are considering a moratorium on
evictions. We have a rundown on all the local closings
and cancellations — as many as we could learn about,
anyway. Carmel’s municipal buildings may be closed, but
some departments are still operating. The Chamber of
Commerce is trying to arrange financial help for local
workers and business owners. Churches may have cancelled
services, but they’re finding ways to offer solace and
support anyway. Cops and firefighters, too, have
developed their own ways to cope. A local dance academy
may not be able to have students at its classroom but is
teaching them via video hookup. CHOMP has announced a
restrictive visitor policy. To help take your mind off
all the chaos, we have our usual interesting features
about high school sports, artists, and someone who’s led
a great life. Neal Hotelling tells the story of one of
the city’s most famous female artists. And my editorial
says not only will the epidemic end soon, it has to.